Former Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore spent Wednesday night behind bars after being taken into custody on suspicion of assault — just hours after the university abruptly fired him over an alleged “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
Moore, 39, a married father of three daughters, was booked into the Washtenaw County Jail following his arrest by Pittsfield Township police shortly after 4 p.m. The timing was startling: Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel announced Moore’s termination only moments later.
As of Thursday morning, no formal charges had been filed.
Manuel’s statement referenced “credible evidence” confirming the improper relationship, sending shockwaves through college football as one of the sport’s rising coaching stars suddenly fell from grace.
Michigan announced the firing shortly before 5 p.m., saying Moore had been “terminated, with cause, effective immediately” after the school launched an internal investigation. In the same breath, Michigan appointed Biff Poggi as interim head coach.
“Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” the school said. “This conduct constitutes a clear violation of university policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”
Michigan did not detail what the investigation uncovered, but The Athletic reported that the probe stemmed from an anonymous tip accusing Moore of misconduct. Initial inquiries did not turn up evidence, but new information reportedly surfaced within the last 24 hours — enough to push the situation into crisis mode.
CBS Sports added that several major program donors had recently learned of the allegations and subsequently pulled back on contributions, adding financial pressure to the unfolding scandal.
Word of the investigation had also spread through the Wolverines’ football facility in recent days, creating rising anxiety among staff. “It’s hard to ignore,” one employee told the outlet.
Moore, who took over in January 2024 after Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to a national title and then left for the NFL, posted a 16–8 record over two seasons. His tenure included an 8–5 campaign in 2024 and a ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Alabama.
Michigan finished the 2025 regular season 9–3 before falling 27–9 to archrival Ohio State — a loss that now stands as Moore’s final game in charge. The Wolverines are set to face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.
Before becoming head coach, Moore served as acting head coach for the final three games of the 2023 season while Harbaugh served a suspension connected to the national sign-stealing scandal. He also filled in earlier that year during Harbaugh’s separate recruiting-related suspension.
